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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-12-11 Recreation Committee MinutesT c,- Recreation Minutes December 11, 1991 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on December 11, 1991 at 7:30pm in the Town Hall Conference Room, 16 Lowell St. Reading. Committee members present included, Chairman Joseph Giordano, Vice Chair, Kate Kaminer, Fred Conover, John Fallon, Ed Hanley, Lorraine Salter, Steve Sullivan, Tom Zaya and John Pacino. Also in attendance was Recreation Supervisor Lesley Wex- ler, and committe member Tom McGrath. Chairman Giordano reviewed the agenda stating that the agenda was slightly off with the Town Manager to speak at 7:40 not 7:30. The Supervisor's report was reviewed by Ms. Wexler. Ms. Wexler stated that overall the programs were running excellent, however a few complaints regarding the Tennis clinic were registered. Ms. Wexler mentioned that she had called the Director of the program and the problems were soon resolved. Mr. John Fallon made a motion to approve the Supervisor's Report. The motion was seconded by Mr. John Pacino and was voted unani- mously 8-0-0. At 7:50pm, Mr Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager of the Town of Reading came to speak before the Committee. Mr. Hechenbleikner began his presentation by explaining the budget/financial condi- tion of the town, stating that our current status was due in part by lowered state aid, the property taxes inability to cover all town expenses, etc. Mr Hechenbleikner then stressed the impor- tance of the "Privitization" option as it pertains to municipal property and programs. The Town Manager expressed his approval of privi.tizing the pool, as this would eliminate the Town's responsibility for payroll, hiring of employees, and other ex- penses. K. Kaminer asked Mr. Hechenbleikner if any other communities in our area had privatized a Municipal pool. Mr. Hechenbleikner responded "no, however it is a very popular practice. L. Salter asked Town Manager how he feels the community would react. The Town Manager said that most people would not care who the pool was run by, as long as it was run well, and with the public's best interest in mind. Mr. Steve Sullivan inquired about the Recreation Committee having input in the R.F.P.. Mr. Hechenbleikner said the Recreation Committee would have input. 1 J. Pacino asked about the "Y" having interest. P. Hechenbleikner said that yes, they had expressed interst in the past. Mr. J. Fallon asked about the savings from privitizing the pool. P. Hechenbleikner said he wasn't sure, but you would need to look at what the Town would save in the amount of time spent running it, and the % of the gate fees we would accumulate when privitized. J. Fallon asked where the money from leasing the pool would ul- timately go to. Mr. Hechenbleikner said it didn't matter whether it went to the General Fund or Revolving Account. He also stated that the Town Manager has ultimate responsibility over Town Property. Steve Sullivan asked about the maintenance and liability of the pool should it be privitized. P. Hechenbleikner said you can in- clude any provisions in an RFP that you want, which could include maintenance and liability. K. Kaminer asked if you could require the future organization running the pool to do cosmetic work to the pool. L. Salter asked why no swim team was held at the pool. P. Hechenbleikner & J. Giordano both agreed it was a great idea and would probably be implemented in the 1992 season. L. Salter asked if it could also be deprivitized. P. Hechenbleikner said yes, that that was why contracts are set for certain periods of time. K. Kaminer asked who would ultimately decide who would get the pool. P. Hechenbleikner said that he would decide. J. Pacino asked if there were any -other facilities to be privitized. P. Hechenbleikner said no, yet nothing should be ruled out. At 8:48, P. Hechenbleikner took a short break in conversation, while Sharon Drileau of Pop Warner came before the Committee to discuss the possibility of turning the practice field into a game field for the sports organization. Sharon Drileau asked where she should go from here in pursuing her goal. J. Giordano said it was under Recreation jurisdiction, however, Coach White was opposed to the idea and feels that he can't approve it. Mrs. Drileau's husband, also present at the meeting , said that all games would be played on this field, eliminating any usage of High School Field, which at times can be in poor condition. 2 Fred Conover asked Sharon Drileau what exactly they wanted to do. Sharon Drileau said they would like to put up lights, brighten the area, and do an overall fix up. Fred Conover then asked who would need to approve such a proposal. The Town Manager said it would need to be the Selectmen. J. Fallon asked Mr. Hechenbleikner if the Nike Site could be used for storage of Pop Warner equipment. Mr. Hechenbleikner said that 3 sports organizations were already using the facility for storage. J. Fallon asked S. Sullivan if the proposal to light the Street Field at Birch Meadow was still in the works. S Sullivan said yes that Men's Softball was thinking about having a fundraiser for that purpose. J. Fallon stated that this would allow suffi- cient light for the practice field. F. Conover said the High School Football field should be used by Pop Warner, yet he would like the organization to come forth with more of a proposal about the Practice Field. J. Pacino asked Sharon and her husband to come back at a later time with a more detailed plan. F. Conover made a motion to ask Pop Warner to come back at a later time with a more established proposal, and to include the feelings of other sports groups and neighbors about the change in the field. The motion was seconded by T. McGrath and passed 8-0-0. At 9:12, Mr. Ed Hanley left the meeting. At 9:15 Sharon Drileau and her husband departed. The Town Manager returned to the meeting to discuss the role of the Recreation Committee. J. Giordano discussed the meeting held with Ruth Cogan regarding privitization of the pool. J. Giordano stated that Ms Cogan com- ment " It is irrelevant what the Recreation Committee thinks, it will go foreward" has made the entire Committee feel unneeded and disillusioned. P Hechenbleikner handed out a copy of the Committee's role and responsibilities. P. Hechenbleikner said that the Recreation committee is viewed as a resource to the Town Manager and Selectmen. J. Giordano said he felt things had been disregarded by the Town Manager and Selectmen in regards to the Recreation Committee. Mr. Hechenbleikner said this might be due to lack of communica- tion. 3 Fred Conover expressed frustration of being on the Budget Sub Committee, as Recreation has continually come to roadblocks, al- locating money to cover programs with more and more money going to the General Fund. Mr. Hechenbleikner responded to Mr. Conover's comments by stating that Recreation does not cover all its expenses. Mr. Conover said that the reluctance in developing new programs is only on the Town's side, and that the Town's peoples opinion would be to run more programs. J. Pacino asked if he was in favor of privitization. P. Hechenbleikner said it was necessary. J. Fallon spoke regarding Ms. Cogan's quote, and said it was an accurate quote. J. Giordano stated that the investment of serving on the Recrea- tion Committee is very large, and really has no benefits in return. He said he feels that the ideas and philosophies of the committee are regarded as intrusions by the Town Manager. The Town Manager asked if the committee would like to speak with the Selectmen regarding committee concerns. Mr. Giordano said the committee would have to think about that. Mr. Hechenbleikner departed at 10:29. _ At 10:30 Mr. Pacino reported on the Ice Rink proposal and how it would impact Birch Meadow neighbors if placed in that area. Mr. Pacino presented a report written by Steven Thomases and asked the committee to review at their leisure. J. Fallon made a motion to table the Ice Rink discussion until the January meeting. Motion was seconded by T. McGrath and ap- proved 8-0-0. J. Giordano asked people to join a privitization Sub-Committee. J. Fallon & K. Kaminer volunteered to serve on committee. J. Pacino made a motion to discuss going before the Selectmen regarding role of the Recreation Committee, at January meeting. The motion was seconded by Tom McGrath and approved 8-0-0. At 10:48, Fred Conover made a motion to adjourn, seconded by K Kaminer, approved 8-0-0. as ectfully Subiitted, ey exler Recreation Supervisor 4